€28.7 million from FSE+ for inclusive education 2026: which regions receive funds and how they are managed

Key data

Autonomous communities have had available since 20 June 2026 €28,723,818 from the European Social Fund Plus (FSE+) to execute the Territorial Cooperation Program for Inclusive Education. The Resolution from the State Secretariat for Education, published in the BOE that same day, provides coverage for the Agreement of the Sectoral Education Conference of 3 June 2026 that approves both the territorial distribution and the allocation criteria.

The total amount exceeds the €12 million threshold that requires prior authorization from the Council of Ministers, a procedure that was completed on 12 May 2026. This makes this distribution one of the largest within the territorial cooperation program in educational matters.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution publishes the agreement by which the Sectoral Education Conference approves two key elements: the proposal for territorial distribution of the €28,723,818 and the objective allocation criteria among autonomous communities.

The funds are of a co-financed nature: they come from the European Social Fund Plus (FSE+) of the European Union and are integrated into the Territorial Cooperation Program for Inclusive Education for the 2026 budget year. Their purpose is twofold:

• Reduce early school dropout in territories with the highest incidence.
• Improve access to quality education for disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities.

The allocation mechanism works in two phases. First, the Sectoral Conference approves the overall distribution with objective criteria. Then, each autonomous community receives its specific allocation through specific and individualized ministerial resolution. The regulation does not publish the figures by community in this act: each territory will receive them in its own resolution.

The Ministry of Education assumes the role of monitoring and control body, verifying that transferred credits are applied in accordance with Spanish subsidy regulations and the European regulations governing FSE+.

Economic and operational impact

For regional education departments, this distribution means the availability of additional European funds for inclusion programs, but also the assumption of management and justification obligations that cannot be ignored.

The main operational risk for autonomous communities is non-compliance with FSE+ justification requirements. European funds require strict documentary traceability: if justification is deficient, the community may be forced to return the amounts received or assume the expense with its own funds.

Who does it affect?

• Regional Education Departments of autonomous communities: they are the direct recipients of the funds and responsible for their management, execution and justification to the Ministry and European bodies.
• Public and subsidized educational centers: especially those serving students at risk of school dropout or with special educational needs derived from disability or social vulnerability.
• Students in vulnerable situations: disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities who are the final beneficiaries of funded programs.
• Entities and organizations from the educational third sector: that collaborate with regional administrations in executing inclusion programs co-financed with these funds.
• European funds management units in autonomous communities: responsible for processing, internal control and accountability to the Ministry of Education.

Practical example

A medium-sized autonomous community receives its specific ministerial resolution with an FSE+ allocation within the total of €28,723,818. To be able to access those funds and execute them in school dropout reduction programs, its education department must:

1. Identify the educational centers and beneficiary groups that meet the inclusive education program criteria.
2. Design specific actions (educational support, guidance programs, support for students with disabilities) that are eligible according to FSE+ regulations.
3. Document each expense with the traceability required by European regulations: invoices, payment receipts, beneficiary records.
4. Send the justification to the Ministry of Education within the deadlines and formats established in the specific ministerial resolution it will receive.

If the community does not properly justify the use of the funds, the Ministry of Education can claim the return of unjustified amounts, with the consequent impact on the regional budget.

What should autonomous communities do now?

1. Wait for and review the specific ministerial resolution: each community will receive its specific allocation through an individualized resolution. This is the document that activates the right to receive the funds and sets the particular conditions.
2. Activate internal FSE+ fund management mechanisms: European funds management units must prepare procedures for beneficiary selection, expense eligibility and documentary justification in accordance with European FSE+ regulations.
3. Identify priority centers and groups: the funds are aimed at reducing early school dropout and improving access for disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities. The selection of actions must align with these objectives.
4. Establish a documentary monitoring system: the Ministry of Education will monitor and control the transferred credits. Having an organized record from the start avoids problems in the justification phase.
5. Coordinate with the Ministry of Education: for any questions about eligibility criteria or justification requirements, contact the Ministry's managing body before committing the expense, not after.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source (BOE-A-2026-13439)

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-13439